InfoPath Dev

Hi all, I'm very new in using InfoPath and has been googling/searching on this forum for my issue. Hopefully someone can help. On my form, I have a very long list for the user to check off for their selection (52 items). My first question is if it's possible to have the multiple-selection list box in multiple columns. I've looked up a couple of places and couldn't seem to find answer. If the multiple-selection list box can't be displayed in multiple column, I tried to create "multiple-multiple selection list", however when I tried to export the data from the form, the values from the form would sit in different columns. I've then found out that I can create a textbox/calculated value box to pull the values in the multiple-selection list box. Question: can i have the text box to include multiple values from multiple list box? As an example, I have 3 multiple list box: list1, list2, list3. Can I have my textbox/valculated value box, output1, to display values for list1, list2, and list3 all at the same time? Thanks a million!! I'm using InfoPath 2013 and no access to SharePoint (I'm distributing the list in email.)

Hi - I'm having a little trouble understanding your question. Can you attach a sample form (under the Options tab) in a reply? Or a mockup?

Thanks! I've attached a file. As you can see, the list has 30 items, and I would like to display it in 3 to 4 columns, instead of just 1. How would I be able to achieve that? Thank you.

Oh! so bound to the same repeating field, but each one only has specific options! That is an interesting concept. Let me think about it a little & I'll get back to you. I think I have an idea that may work. In your real form, will the values be hard coded, or do they come from a secondary data connection?

Thank you! Appreciated!

Thank you. The values would be hard coded. However that was because initially I was going to use outlook to distribute the form. However recently I found that is not possible and I'd need to use sharepoint, would using a secondary data connection make more sense then?

If we use an XML file, stored as a resource in the form, we can do this. I'll work up a sample later today.

Okay - I was wrong. Even if I set this up so that we only have certain options in each box, they will show anything selected even if not one of the options.... Sorry, I think you'll have to just have three multi-selects bound to three different repeating fields.

You know - I have another idea. What about using repeating tables instead, formatted to look like multi-selects? We used to do that back when you couldn't use multi-selects in the browser.

Thanks! After playing around with it, I see that you're using check boxes and calculated values to display A - P My question is how can i get the values into the checkboxes if they're repeating (if that's possible). I also didn't understand how did you generate A - P with 3 columns in design..

So - under the Data tab in the ribbon, you'll see a button for default data. I've inserted 15 rows by default, setting each Name value. The repeating sections have formatting rules based on counts of preceding sibling to only show a certain set in a given section. I don't know what this means: "how can i get the values into the checkboxes if they're repeating" - can you describe what you mean in more detail?

Thanks. Well at the end of the day, I'd like to export the completed form (like excel) to look at the data. That means I'd need to know which check box is checked. Can I do that? Thanks for all the wonderful help with this!

The checkbox will show true or false - you can use a formula to concatenate up all the names selected into a single field, if that makes it a bit easier to deal with. See attached.